Once upon a time in a dense forest on a strawberry meadow lived two friends — Hamster and Butterfly. One day, Butterfly suggested going on a hike.
They say that beyond the tall trees, real wonders are hidden. We'll see so much — enough impressions to last a year!
At first, cautious Hamster had his doubts, but then he too wanted to see the forest wonders.
No sooner said than done. The next morning, as soon as the sun rose over the strawberry meadow, they set off.
The forest path led them further and further towards adventure. Hamster looked around — surrounding him was a clearing, all covered with white mushrooms. He rushed to gather them, forgetting everything around him. Having collected them, he looked around — and Butterfly had vanished without a trace! When called, his friend appeared, rather cross.
What were you fussing about there? I've already managed to fly past three such clearings! At this rate, we won't get anywhere at all!
After lunch, the sun began to sink towards the horizon. Hamster saw before them a clearing covered with wonderful bilberries — so tasty and large that our hero had never seen the like at home. Having learnt from bitter experience, he asked Butterfly not to fly off and to help him.
Butterfly agreed, but there was little use from her — whilst Hamster patiently gathered berries, she merely flitted from one bush to another. Hamster divided all the gathered bounty into two bundles: one he took for himself, the other, smaller one, he gave to Butterfly. And once again she was displeased: because of the heavy bundle, it was awkward for her to fly. For the entire remaining journey until evening, she whined and complained.
Evening was falling. The friends stopped to choose a place to spend the night in a lovely spot, beside a stream. But this did nothing to improve Butterfly's mood.
We've wasted the whole day on your silly stops! First you had to collect mushrooms, then berries. Because of this, we've hardly seen anything! I nearly broke my wing because of your wretched berries.
And then Hamster could bear it no longer.
And what will you eat without my mushrooms and berries? If you want to flit from tree to tree — by all means, let's each go our own way. Only you won't last long without supplies!
Butterfly wouldn't give in.
Me not last? You're the one who won't last without me! I can rise up and see where we need to go! If, of course, I'm not loaded down with kilogrammes of berries. And you without me will get lost in your own back garden.
And then Hamster was suddenly struck by a thought.
Yes, if you don't scout the route, we'll get lost. But if I don't gather supplies for us, we'll starve. Getting lost is bad, starving is no better. So perhaps, instead of arguing, we should combine our efforts?
After thinking, Butterfly agreed.
As soon as the sun rose, the friends set off again. Now Butterfly didn't idle about when Hamster found a clearing with forest gifts: during this time she rose above the trees and looked to see where they should go next. Each of the friends carried their share of the common bounty.
A week later they returned happy and full of impressions! The animals marvelled at their stories and asked: what was the main lesson the friends had learnt during their travels?
Hamster and Butterfly answered, after thinking.
True friendship only grows stronger through trials! And it helps overcome obstacles that one couldn't manage alone. That's what's most important!
From that time on, all the animals in the forest learnt to value friendship even more.
